Role of Silver Nanoparticles in Treatment of Plant Diseases

Abstract

Nanosized forms of different metals are a part of the nanoparticles that have been enlisted for controlling plant diseases. Nanoparticles synthesized from silver have been used as a potent pesticidal agent among different nanoparticles against a huge range of pathogens, fungi, and viruses. Fungal diseases are mainly culpable for significant deterioration in crop turnout. Various studies have been conducted from time to time in order to study the fungicidal potential of silver nanoparticles against different phytopathogens involved in diverse plant diseases e.g. sclerotium forming phytopathogens – Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, phytopathogens accountable for developing anthracnose extensively in fruits – Colletotrichum gloeosporioide, etc. Unchecked usage of fungicides has kindled many problems such as injurious consequences on human health, detrimental impact on insects involved in pollination and also imposed negative effects on domestic animals. Thus, introduction of chemical agents into the soil and water is affecting the stability of whole ecosystems.

Available literature has established the fact that nanoparticles strongly inhibit fungal growth and sclerotial germination. It is a proven fact that nanoparticles can permeate inside the cells of microbes at significantly smaller concentrations, thus, indicating that nanosized silver would be appropriate for their restriction. Silver nanoparticles, which have a large surface area to volume ratio and high fraction of surface atoms, thus possessing immense antimicrobial effects in relation to bulk silver. The lethal effects of silver nanoemulsions have also been detected when used at higher concentrations in similar studies. However, with the arrival of silver nanoparticles and their extensive use as antimicrobial agents, sufficient experimental testing is required to figure out the associated toxicity. Thus, before endorsing the use of silver nanoparticles in agricultural fields, the toxic levels of nanoparticles should be tested and certified and an optimum concentration should be considered. Nanotechnology is steadily being incorporated into the arena of agricultural crop industry.